Lowe’s Grove school placed on lockdown after fights break out

Police and sheriff’s deputies were called Thursday to Lowe’s Grove Middle School after multiple fights broke out and the school was placed on lockdown, authorities said.

No injuries were reported.

Capt. Adam Clayton of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office said 10 students were suspended in connection with what he described as “small fights.” He said school administrators were trying to determine what provoked the fights, but said they did not appear to be gang-related.

Clayton said no weapons were found.

The first fight apparently began at lunchtime in the school cafeteria, and others followed in hallways after the commotion snowballed, he said.

Lowe’s Grove normally has one deputy at the school – called a school resource officer – plus an off-duty officer who comes in at midday. But more deputies will be assigned to the school today as a precaution.

Clayton said he doesn’t expect more trouble at the school today, however, because the suspended students won’t be there.

Chip Sudderth, a spokesman for the Durham Public Schools, confirmed that a fight broke out in the cafeteria, but said officers were not required to break up it up. He said officers were called after that disturbance “to maintain the integrity of the instructional day.”